Yamaha CL5 Discontinued: Buy Used or Move to the DM7?

For more than a decade the Yamaha CL5 was one of the most common digital consoles in theatres, houses of worship, corporate venues and rental inventories. In March 2025 Yamaha ended production of the CL and QL series, and the DM7, launched in 2023, now fills that role in the catalogue. That leaves many engineers and venues with one question: keep buying CL5s on the used market, or move to the DM7? This guide compares the two on documented specifications and current retail pricing.

CL5 vs DM7 at a glance

	Yamaha CL5	Yamaha DM7
Status	Discontinued (March 2025)	Current (since 2023)
Input channels	72 mono + 8 stereo	Up to 120
Busses	24 mix + 8 matrix	48 mix + 12 matrix
Faders	34	28
Screens	1 touchscreen	2 × 12″ touchscreens
Sample rate	44.1 / 48 kHz	Up to 96 kHz
Local I/O	8 in / 8 out	32 in / 16 out
Network	Dante built in	Dante built in
Weight	approx. 36 kg	approx. 23.5 kg
Price	Used market only	approx. €27,990 (DM7 Compact approx. €14,490) at Thomann EU

What the DM7 changes

Capacity. Up to 120 inputs and 48 mix busses give far more room for large musicals, conferences with many wireless channels, or bands running many in-ear mixes. The CL5’s 24 mix busses are its main limit on complex shows.

Two screens and 96 kHz. Two touchscreens let you keep an overview and a channel or monitor view open at the same time, and the DM7 can run at 96 kHz, which the CL series never offered.

Local I/O. With 32 inputs and 16 outputs on the desk, a DM7 can run small shows without a stagebox. The CL5, with 8 local inputs and outputs, was designed around Rio stageboxes on the Dante network.

Size and weight. At roughly 23.5 kg against 36 kg, the DM7 is easier to move, ship and fit into tight control positions.

Why a used CL5 can still make sense

More faders: 34 against 28. Rider familiarity: the CL5 appears on countless riders and most engineers know it. Ecosystem: existing Rio3224-D2 and Rio1608-D2 stageboxes and CL/QL show files keep their value. Price: a used CL5 costs a fraction of a new DM7, although prices vary widely with condition, option cards and accessories — check current listings rather than trusting old price guides. For the whole CL and QL family, see our Yamaha CL/QL review.

What to check on a used CL5

• Motorised faders: recall several scenes and watch every fader reach its position.
• Touchscreen: test all corners and the most-used areas.
• Encoders and keys in the Selected Channel section.
• Both Dante ports (primary and secondary) and the firmware version.
• Service history and the option cards included.

Discontinuation does not make the CL5 a worse console overnight, but new features will not come, and long-term repairs depend on parts availability. For a purchase that must last ten years, that is a real argument for the DM7. Our general guide to buying a console second-hand covers inspection in more detail.

Which one should you choose?

• Rental company with CL/QL stock and Rio stageboxes: an extra used CL5 keeps you rider-compatible — keep an eye on parts.
• New install in a theatre, church or venue: DM7 or DM7 Compact.
• Tight budget, smaller shows: DM7 Compact, or a used QL5 if you need local I/O without a stagebox.
• Large tours and flagship productions: look at the Rivage range — see our Rivage PM5 vs PM7 vs PM10 comparison.

For the DM7 itself, read our Yamaha DM7 review.

FAQ

Is the Yamaha CL5 discontinued?

Yes. Yamaha ended production of the CL and QL series in March 2025. The CL5 is now available used or as remaining stock only.

What replaced the Yamaha CL5?

The DM7, launched in 2023, now fills the CL5’s role in Yamaha’s range, with up to 120 inputs, 48 mix busses, two touchscreens and up to 96 kHz.

How many channels does the Yamaha CL5 have?

The CL5 has 72 mono and 8 stereo input channels, 24 mix busses, 8 matrices and 34 faders.

Should I buy a used CL5 or a new DM7?

A used CL5 makes sense if you already own CL/QL consoles and Rio stageboxes or need rider compatibility on a budget. For a new long-term purchase, the DM7 or DM7 Compact is the safer choice.

Where to buy : Yamaha CL5

Retailer	Why
Thomann Yamaha DM7	Reference price, 3-year warranty, pro stock in Europe	Yamaha DM7 at Thomann →
Thomann Yamaha QL5	Reference price, 3-year warranty, pro stock in Europe	Yamaha QL5 at Thomann →

Affiliate link: the price is the same for you, the commission funds our tests.

Sources — Yamaha CL series, Yamaha DM7, Thomann (EU prices, September 2026).

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